Asla's Crushing Strike
Clang-! Whoosh-! The battle between Asla and the assassin unfolded with blinding speed and ruthless precision. Razor-sharp gusts clashed against an unidentified white glow. Both forces were astonishing, but the spirit arts honed over countless years operated on an entirely different plane.
Swish-! The white-haired elder moved with agility defying his age. It was partly thanks to the wind, but more than that, his fundamental prowess was leagues apart.
"Kuh!" The assassin's earlier composure had vanished. He knew he couldn't surpass the man before him in power, speed, or experience.
Shlick-! Clang-! Asla pressed the attack relentlessly, offering no quarter. Watching the assassin pour everything into defense, he spoke.
"Won't you pray to your god?"
"Shut up!"
Clang-! The assassin parried the sword and retreated. The white glow enveloping his body had noticeably dimmed.
"You're wielding power beyond your station. As dubious and eerie as your god."
"How... dare you blaspheme a god!"
Provoked, the assassin gnashed his teeth in fury. But in this moment, there was no way to overcome the old man before him.
"I'll kill you for sure."
Boom-! Light erupted with the assassin's words, a blinding flash that seared everyone's vision.
Shlick-! Then, the sound of wind slicing through the light rang out sharply.
"Kuh!" The assassin's strangled cry echoed once more. The blinding light faded right after.
"...Huh?"
Liora, her sight returning, stared ahead in shock. The assassin who had been there moments ago was gone. All that remained was blood splattered on the ground.
-He just owned him. lol
-???:How dare you blaspheme a god!
-???:I'll kill you for sure!
-And he still got smacked before dipping. lmao
"Hmph."
Asla, who had unleashed the wind blade, relaxed his stance only after a moment more had passed. Sheathing his sword, he turned—and froze.
"......"
His eyes met the gazes of the four people watching him intently. Asla hesitated, then turned his head away.
"...Too many people here. My stomach's acting up."
"There are only two new people. Please stay a bit longer."
Kang Hanbit grabbed his departing master. Social anxiety was one thing, but the situation needed resolving.
"A technique borrowing spirit power?"
"No way... Is this man a spirit user?"
He briefed Cown and Liora about him. They seemed more shocked by the spirit power than by his connection to the Black Dragon.
Asla himself stood with his back turned, pretending to watch the alley mouth. The two approached him.
"Thank you for your help."
"I had no idea Edlen had such a powerful expert. It's an honor to meet you."
"......"
Asla offered no reply to their thanks. Hanbit, following behind, added an explanation.
"Cut him some slack. He's not great with people. Might be different if there was booze, though."
"Booze?"
Cown reacted to the word.
"He denies it, but he's a massive drinker."
"...Didn't I say I'd quit drinking?"
"You downed twenty bottles in one sitting."
"......"
-Straight facts. lol
-Facts courtesy of DragonTube.
-Dodging eye contact is hilarious. lol
Asla cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his gaze to the alley. Cown, watching the exchange, ventured carefully.
"I have some fine liquor. If it's not too rude, may I offer it as a gift?"
"Fine liquor?"
"Yes. Made from ingredients gathered in the Night Garden. I'm sure it'll suit your taste."
"Hmph."
Asla feigned contemplation at the invitation, then glanced back slyly.
"...How many bottles?"
***
"Kuhh."
In the secret underground chamber of an old building, Asla pulled away from the bottle with a satisfied sigh. Five empty bottles were already piled around him.
"Glad you like it."
Cown, who had fetched the liquor from his room, still kept vigilant watch around them, guarding Liora. Even in a safe place, complacency was no longer an option.
"Standing like that will wear you out. Relax while I'm here."
"...Thank you."
-Don't say cool shit while holding a booze bottle;
-Tastes solid.
-But can't they get in here?
-Not 100% sure?
-Safer than outside, at least.
The chamber's entrance opened only via the Norton ring. But the earlier attack had made even minor lapses unforgivable.
Chirp-!
A bird's call pierced the tense air. Liora, sitting beside Hanbit, stroked the sylph. Knowing it was a wind spirit now seemed to foster some affinity.
"So, how'd you get there right at that do-or-die moment?"
Hanbit asked, recalling the assault. He'd expected Asla soon, but not at such dramatic timing.
"After warning you, I kept scouting around Edlen. I sensed odd reactions twice."
"Twice?"
"One from that girl's ring near the waterways, the other from the Holy Nation assassin's power. I tracked those to reach you."
Asla explained between sips, but few would notice—he was poised to draw his sword at any instant. Even mid-assault, his readiness was lethal.
"We owe you our lives, elder. Thank you again."
"I only came for my disciple. But... I can't ignore the traces left by the Spirit King."
Asla's gaze turned to Liora, now somewhat subdued. She'd stormed out refusing to leave Edlen, but reality had hit fast. With such attacks ongoing, stubbornness wouldn't hold.
"Liora, you can stay in Edlen."
"...Huh?"
"Black Dragon?"
Liora and Cown turned at his abrupt words. Sensing their confusion, Hanbit asked Asla.
"You'll stick around till it's over, right?"
"My goal is protecting you and eliminating threats to the spirits. Human squabbles are none of my concern."
"The guy at the center of that squabble, Bares, is after the Spirit King's traces. If it falls into his hands, things'll get messy."
"Hmph."
Asla stroked his chin as he listened. To him, it was simple.
"Then just kill this Bares."
"If killing ended it, we'd have done it already. And this ring? It's a treasure empowered directly by Spirit King Salion. It's his will to protect the Norton family."
"......"
Naming the Spirit King made Asla ponder gravely. After a silent moment, he approached Liora.
"May I see it briefly?"
"Uh... sure."
She glanced at Hanbit, nodded, and offered the ring. The instant Asla took it carefully—
Whoosh-!
Wind laced with heat burst forth.
"Eek!"
"Miss!"
Startled, Liora and Cown moved to defend, but Asla raised a hand to stop them.
"Don't fuss. You'll offend the spirit."
They froze at his rebuke. In the settling silence, the wind whispered. Asla opened his eyes and exhaled like a sigh, his gaze landing on Hanbit.
"Fine. I'll protect the girl until it's done. But if your life's in danger, you come first."
-Master-disciple love is insane;
-I'd lose it too if my disciple showed up after decades.
-Total professor vibes.
-???:Fancy studying more, young one?
-Another innocent college kid lost today.
Asla's firm resolve left no room for negotiation. With him as an ally, they'd cleared a major hurdle. He could guard Liora and disrupt tracking on the ring with spirit power.
"Thank you. With your help, we're unbreakable."
"Guard your own hide. Bring more booze later."
"Of course."
Cown nodded with a faint smile. With Liora's safety secured, it was time to move.
"We can't just sit here taking hits."
Cown's face hardened with resolve. Whatever tied the Holy Nation assassin to Bares, the attacks had begun. Time to prepare a counterstrike.
"You know, right? If Edlen's heavyweights are all with Bares, the capital's our only shot."
"Yeah."
Cown nodded at Hanbit's question. It was the one path he'd long considered, so he continued without hesitation.
"We'll seek the King's Sword—the Royal Knights. Punishing a force plotting national upheaval is well within their purview."
-Whoa;
-ㄷㄷ
-Royal Knights incoming;
-Upvotes for wanting to see Leon's eyes pop.
-He's already getting owned right in front of us. lol
-Story broke for me, couldn't watch properly;
-Half your life's wasted then. lol
The Royal Knights, dubbed the King's Sword. Mentioning them had viewers chanting a certain name.
'Still got the fans.'
Royal Knights Vice-Captain Leon. With his looks and personality, no wonder viewers loved him. They'd swoon even after Atsbel's roasting. If a knight came to Edlen—and it was Leon—the reaction would be explosive.
"Royal Knights coming here? Don't they only move on royal orders?"
"Crimes shaking the nation get reported to the king. The contents of this projection magic tool are enough to summon one to Edlen."
Cown nodded at Liora's question, elaborating. More prep time would be ideal, but urgency ruled. Getting the Royal Knights here was key.
"First, we'll gather signatures from dignitaries and nobles for the petition."
"Nobles? Aren't they all in Bares' pocket?"
"On the surface, yes. But people like me still exist. Lord William influenced so many for the better."
Cown's gaze dropped, lost in memory. Then he looked to Liora.
"Let's go meet your father's... Lord William's old retainers."